Activity note: Resort check-in from 3:30 p.m.

Afternoon: Program Registration. After you have your room assignment, come over to the Road Scholar table in the lobby to register with the program staff and pick up your welcome packet containing your name tag, up-to-date schedule that reflects any last-minute changes, and other important information. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check-in.

Dinner: In our reserved section of the resort's restaurant, we will have a buffet including fresh baked bread, a salad bar, soups, hot entrees, and dessert, plus coffee (regular/decaf), tea (hot/iced), soda, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. Unless specified otherwise, transportation will be provided by mini coach, which will require going up/down a few steps when getting on/off. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Activity note: Walking over uneven ground and lawn.

Breakfast: In our reserved section of the resort's restaurant, we will enjoy a plentiful buffet offering rotating choices such as eggs, breakfast meats, hot cereals, pastries (the resort is known for their half pound caramel pecan sweet rolls), yogurt, and fruit, plus coffee (regular and decaf), tea, juices, milk and water.

Morning: This morning we will delve into dairy science with a visit to a dairy farm, but this farm is special as the herd is made up of several breeds of dairy goats. With the farmer to lead us, we will meet "the girls," see the milking parlor, and taste several varieties of cheese from fresh chevre to more aged cheese. Then we will travel to the Door County Creamery to see the cheese making operation. Did you know that Wisconsin is the only state to have Master Cheesemaker certification program?

Lunch: After a quick trip across the peninsula we will meet up with the owner/baker/chef of the Door County Bakery for an exclusive lunch-and-learn. Using local, season ingredients, our chef will present a three-course lunch for our enjoyment, plus coffee, lemonade, iced tea, water.

Afternoon: During lunch, we will discuss local produce, preparation techniques and how we can re-create our Door County experience at home; we will receive all the recipes! A visit to Door County wouldn’t be complete without a fish boil. Back at the resort, we'll grab a seat by the fire pit and listen to the resident storyteller recount tales of the fish boil and the colorful characters who figure in its history, all with spectacular Newport State Park as the backdrop. Let’s make sure to have our cameras ready for the spectacular “boil over.”

Dinner: Resort buffet.

Evening: We will meet a noted local nature photographer, see a selection of his favorite images, and learn how he captures the beauty of Door County.

Activity note: Walking up/down 20 steps and up to 1 mile. Driving under 1/2 hour.

Breakfast: Resort buffet.

Morning: This morning we will travel to the end of the peninsula to the Northport Ferry Dock and the small community of Gills Rock. If we are lucky, we will see the Washington Island Ferry loading cars and passengers in preparation for the crossing through La Porte de Morts (Death's Door). With images of the lake in our minds, we will stop at the Door County Maritime Museum and hear from a local expert about the commercial fishing industry that was and is so important to the peninsula. On our own, we can explore the other displays about the lifesaving service and shipwrecks. A few minutes ride or walk away is Charlie's Smokehouse, known for their smoked whitefish spread. With a member of the staff, we will walk down to the smokehouse, discuss the process of smoking fish, and finally get to try the smoked fish for ourselves. What a nice appetizer before lunch!

Lunch: At a local restaurant in Gills Rock, we will have a plated meal with a choice of a half sandwich and cup of soup, plus coffee, soda, lemonade, iced tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Afternoon: Back at the resort, we will meet the owner of the resort in the lobby next to the fieldstone fireplace and then go for a mile walk down to the bay and along a road through the property. As we walk, we will learn the 30-plus year history of the resort and the area, and discuss the Mink River Estuary and Newport State Park. What once was a run-down fishing camp has been re-imagined as a vintage resort along the water, where we can savor the fresh lake breezes. Back inside, the owner will take us into the bakery for a look behind the scenes and how they make their famous half pound cinnamon and caramel pecan rolls. We might even get a sample of skorpa. Not sure what that is? We will know before we leave.

Dinner: Resort buffet.

Evening: We will meet local orchard owners who own a 100-year-old farm, orchard and market. They will share stories of working the orchard, German POW and migrant pickers, show some cherry picking tools, and have some locally-produced cherry products.

Activity note: Driving under 1/2 hour.

Breakfast: Resort buffet.

Morning: This morning we will travel across the peninsula to the community of Ellison Bay and the Savory Spoon Cooking School, built in 1879. The chef and owner will be awaiting our arrival for a hands-on cooking adventure. Working in small teams, we will create a five-course lunch from seasonal ingredients. Our chef will explain the recipes, ingredients and techniques, and answer any questions; we'll also receive all the recipes.

Lunch: In the blink of an eye, our work space is transformed from kitchen to casual dining as we raise our glasses to toast each other and our culinary prowess. Our five-course meal also includes iced tea, water; wine will be available for purchase.

Afternoon: Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Driving under 1/2 hour.

Breakfast: Resort buffet.

Morning: This morning we will take a ride across the peninsula to Ellison Bay. We have learned so much about food that now we might want to learn how it can be displayed beautifully on a table. With this in mind, we will visit Ellison Bay Pottery and meet some local potter to learn more about functional pottery. We will split into two groups to observe and learn more. On our way back to the resort we will stop at Seaquist Orchards and Farm Market. This family-owned business has been a landmark in Door County for more than 25 years. On the mini-coach with one of the family, we will take a trip through the experimental orchard across the road and discuss the cherry and apple growing industry. Then we will venture into the market for a sample of apple cider and a chance to taste dozens of locally-produced products.

Lunch: At the resort restaurant, we will have a plated meal with choice of sandwich, potato salad, fresh fruit, and dessert, plus coffee, tea, soda, milk, water.

Afternoon: Back at the resort, we will meet another local resident, living and working in Door County. By day he works with potato genes, but his passion is beekeeping and honey. We will learn about apiaries, pollination, and discuss colony collapse disorder.

Dinner: Resort buffet, featuring prime rib. We'll share some of our favorite experiences from the program with new friends.

Evening: Several local musicians will join us at the resort for some light entertainment to close out our final evening together. Be sure to prepare for check-out and departures in the morning.

Activity note: Resort check-out by 11:00 a.m.

Breakfast: Resort buffet. This concludes our program.

Morning: If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on another rewarding program in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!